-
Macromolecular Rapid Communications Aug 2023Fragrances are ubiquitously and extensively used in everyday life and several industrial applications, including perfumes, textiles, laundry formulations, hygiene... (Review)
Review
Fragrances are ubiquitously and extensively used in everyday life and several industrial applications, including perfumes, textiles, laundry formulations, hygiene household products, and food products. However, the intrinsic volatility of these small organic molecules leaves them particularly susceptible to fast depletion from a product or from the surface they have been applied to. Encapsulation is a very effective method to limit the loss of fragrance during their use and to sustain their release. This review gives an overview of the different materials and techniques used for the encapsulation of fragrances, scents, and aromas, as well as the methods used to characterize the resulting encapsulation systems, with a particular focus on cyclodextrins, polymer microcapsules, inorganic microcapsules, block copolymer micelles, and polymersomes for fragrance encapsulation, sustained release, and controlled release.
Topics: Odorants; Micelles; Capsules; Perfume; Polymers
PubMed: 37150605
DOI: 10.1002/marc.202300120 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been known as a common viral pathogen that can infect several parts of the body, leading to various clinical manifestations.... (Review)
Review
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) has been known as a common viral pathogen that can infect several parts of the body, leading to various clinical manifestations. According to this diverse manifestation, HSV-1 infection in many cell types was demonstrated. Besides the HSV-1 cell tropism, e.g., fibroblast, epithelial, mucosal cells, and neurons, HSV-1 infections can occur in human T lymphocyte cells, especially in activated T cells. In addition, several studies found that actin polymerization and filopodia formation support HSV-1 infection in diverse cell types. Hence, the goal of this review is to explore the mechanism of HSV-1 infection in various types of cells involving filopodia formation and highlight potential future directions for HSV-1 entry-related research. Moreover, this review covers several strategies for possible anti-HSV drugs focused on the entry step, offering insights into potential therapeutic interventions.
Topics: Humans; Actins; Pseudopodia; Polymerization; Virus Internalization; T-Lymphocytes; Herpesvirus 1, Human; Herpes Simplex; Neurons
PubMed: 38076455
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1301859 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Jul 2023Gellan gum, a microbial exopolysaccharide, is biodegradable and has potential to fill several key roles in many fields from food to pharmacy, biomedicine and tissue... (Review)
Review
Gellan gum, a microbial exopolysaccharide, is biodegradable and has potential to fill several key roles in many fields from food to pharmacy, biomedicine and tissue engineering. In order to improve the physicochemical and biological properties of gellan gum, some researchers take advantage of numerous hydroxyl groups and the free carboxyl present in each repeating unit. As a result, design and development of gellan-based materials have advanced significantly. The goal of this review is to provide a summary of the most recent, high-quality research trends that have used gellan gum as a polymeric component in the design of numerous cutting-edge materials with applications in various fields.
Topics: Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Tissue Engineering; Polymers
PubMed: 37028862
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120782 -
Science Progress 2023The ceramic-polymer composite materials are widely known for their exceptional mechanical and biological properties. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer... (Review)
Review
The ceramic-polymer composite materials are widely known for their exceptional mechanical and biological properties. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a biodegradable polymer material extensively used in various biomedical applications. At the same time, barium titanate (BT), a ceramic material, exhibits piezoelectric properties similar to bone, which is essential for osseointegration. Furthermore, a composite material that combines the benefits of PCL and BT results in an innovative composite material with enhanced properties for biomedical applications. Thus, this review is organised into three sections. Firstly, it aims to provide an overview of the current research on evaluating biological properties, including antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity and osseointegration, of PCL polymeric matrices in its pure form and reinforced structures with ceramics, polymers and natural extracts. The second section investigates the biological properties of BT, both in its pure form and in combination with other supporting materials. Finally, the third section provides a summary of the biological properties of the PCLBT composite material. Furthermore, the existing challenges of PCL, BT and their composites, along with future research directions, have been presented. Therefore, this review will provide a state-of-the-art understanding of the biological properties of PCL and BT composites as potential futuristic materials in biomedical applications.
Topics: Biocompatible Materials; Barium; Polyesters; Polymers
PubMed: 38031343
DOI: 10.1177/00368504231215942 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jul 2023Bacterial biofilms are communities of cells adhered to surfaces. These communities represent a predominant form of bacterial life on Earth. A defining feature of a...
Bacterial biofilms are communities of cells adhered to surfaces. These communities represent a predominant form of bacterial life on Earth. A defining feature of a biofilm is the three-dimensional extracellular polymer matrix that protects resident cells by acting as a mechanical barrier to the penetration of chemicals, such as antimicrobials. Beyond being recalcitrant to antibiotic treatment, biofilms are notoriously difficult to remove from surfaces. A promising, but relatively underexplored, approach to biofilm control is to disrupt the extracellular polymer matrix by enabling penetration of particles to increase the susceptibility of biofilms to antimicrobials. In this work, we investigate externally imposed chemical gradients as a mechanism to transport polystyrene particles into bacterial biofilms. We show that preconditioning the biofilm with a prewash step using deionized (DI) water is essential for altering the biofilm so it takes up the micro- and nanoparticles by the application of a further chemical gradient created by an electrolyte. Using different particles and chemicals, we document the transport behavior that leads to particle motion into the biofilm and its further reversal out of the biofilm. Our results demonstrate the importance of chemical gradients in disrupting the biofilm matrix and regulating particle transport in crowded macromolecular environments, and suggest potential applications of particle transport and delivery in other physiological systems.
Topics: Biofilms; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix; Anti-Infective Agents; Polymers
PubMed: 37400078
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c03190 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024Recent advances in biomedical research, particularly in optical applications, have sparked a transformative movement towards replacing synthetic polymers with more... (Review)
Review
Recent advances in biomedical research, particularly in optical applications, have sparked a transformative movement towards replacing synthetic polymers with more biocompatible and sustainable alternatives. Most often made from plastics or glass, these materials ignite immune responses from the body, and their production is based on environmentally harsh oil-based processes. Biopolymers, including both polysaccharides and proteins, have emerged as a potential candidate for optical biomaterials due to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and sustainability, derived from their existence in nature and being recognized by the immune system. Current extraction and fabrication methods for these biomaterials, including thermal drawing, extrusion and printing, mold casting, dry-jet wet spinning, hydrogel formations, and nanoparticles, aim to create optical materials in cost-effective and environmentally friendly manners for a wide range of applications. Present and future applications include optical waveguides and sensors, imaging and diagnostics, optical fibers, and waveguides, as well as ocular implants using biopolymers, which will revolutionize these fields, specifically their uses in the healthcare industry.
Topics: Polysaccharides; Biopolymers; Biocompatible Materials; Polymers
PubMed: 38339138
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031861 -
Acta Biomaterialia Dec 2023Bone scaffolds play a crucial role in bone tissue engineering by providing mechanical support for the growth of new tissue while enduring static and fatigue loads.... (Review)
Review
Bone scaffolds play a crucial role in bone tissue engineering by providing mechanical support for the growth of new tissue while enduring static and fatigue loads. Although polymers possess favourable characteristics such as adjustable degradation rate, tissue-compatible stiffness, ease of fabrication, and low toxicity, their relatively low mechanical strength has limited their use in load-bearing applications. While numerous studies have focused on assessing the static strength of polymeric scaffolds, little research has been conducted on their fatigue properties. The current review presents a comprehensive study on the fatigue behaviour of polymeric bone scaffolds. The fatigue failure in polymeric scaffolds is discussed and the impact of material properties, topological features, loading conditions, and environmental factors are also examined. The present review also provides insight into the fatigue damage evolution within polymeric scaffolds, drawing comparisons to the behaviour observed in natural bone. Additionally, the effect of polymer microstructure, incorporating reinforcing materials, the introduction of topological features, and hydrodynamic/corrosive impact of body fluids in the fatigue life of scaffolds are discussed. Understanding these parameters is crucial for enhancing the fatigue resistance of polymeric scaffolds and holds promise for expanding their application in clinical settings as structural biomaterials. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Polymers have promising advantages for bone tissue engineering, including adjustable degradation rates, compatibility with native bone stiffness, ease of fabrication, and low toxicity. However, their limited mechanical strength has hindered their use in load-bearing scaffolds for clinical applications. While prior studies have addressed static behaviour of polymeric scaffolds, a comprehensive review of their fatigue performance is lacking. This review explores this gap, addressing fatigue characteristics, failure mechanisms, and the influence of parameters like material properties, topological features, loading conditions, and environmental factors. It also examines microstructure, reinforcement materials, pore architectures, body fluids, and tissue ingrowth effects on fatigue behaviour. A significant emphasis is placed on understanding fatigue damage progression in polymeric scaffolds, comparing it to natural bone behaviour.
Topics: Tissue Scaffolds; Biocompatible Materials; Tissue Engineering; Polymers; Materials Testing; Weight-Bearing
PubMed: 37797705
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.09.048 -
Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces Feb 2024The covalent functionalization of polymers with fluorinated moieties represents a promising strategy for the development of multimodal systems. Moreover, polymer...
The covalent functionalization of polymers with fluorinated moieties represents a promising strategy for the development of multimodal systems. Moreover, polymer fluorination often endows the resulting nanocarriers with improved colloidal stability in the biological environment. In this work, we developed fluorinated pegylated (PEG) biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) drug nanocarriers showing both high colloidal stability and stealth properties, as well as being (F)-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) detectable. The optimized nanocarriers were obtained mixing a PEG-PCL block copolymer with a nonafluoro-functionalized PCL polymer. The role of PEGylation and fluorination on self-assembly and colloidal behavior of the obtained nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated, as well as their respective role on stealth properties and colloidal stability. To prove the feasibility of the developed NPs as potential F NMR detectable drug delivery systems, a hydrophobic drug was successfully encapsulated, and the maintenance of the relevant F NMR properties evaluated. Drug-loaded fluorinated NPs still retained a sharp and intense F NMR signal and good relaxivity parameters (i.e., T and T relaxation times) in water, which were not impaired by drug encapsulation.
Topics: Polyethylene Glycols; Drug Delivery Systems; Polyesters; Polymers; Drug Carriers; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38176337
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113730 -
International Journal of Molecular... Sep 2023In recent years, Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) has emerged as a new technology for the production of polymeric, nanocomposite, and ceramic materials in the form of nano... (Review)
Review
In recent years, Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) has emerged as a new technology for the production of polymeric, nanocomposite, and ceramic materials in the form of nano and microfibers, with similar features to those achieved by other procedures. The advantages of SBS over other spinning methods are the fast generation of fibers and the simplicity of the experimental setup that opens up the possibility of their on-site production. While producing a large number of nanofibers in a short time is a crucial factor in large-scale manufacturing, in situ generation, for example, in the form of sprayable, multifunctional dressings, capable of releasing embedded active agents on wounded tissue, or their use in operating rooms to prevent hemostasis during surgical interventions, open a wide range of possibilities. The interest in this spinning technology is evident from the growing number of patents issued and articles published over the last few years. Our focus in this review is on the biomedicine-oriented applications of SBS for the production of nanofibers based on the collection of the most relevant scientific papers published to date. Drug delivery, 3D culturing, regenerative medicine, and fabrication of biosensors are some of the areas in which SBS has been explored, most frequently at the proof-of-concept level. The promising results obtained demonstrate the potential of this technology in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.
Topics: Drug Delivery Systems; Polymers; Bandages; Nanofibers; Technology
PubMed: 37834204
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914757 -
Chemosphere Dec 2023Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been sampled from coastal southwest England during twelve periods over a 42-day timeframe in late autumn. MPs were dominated by...
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been sampled from coastal southwest England during twelve periods over a 42-day timeframe in late autumn. MPs were dominated by fibres, with foams, fragments and pellets also observed. The majority of fibres were identified as the semisynthetic polymer, rayon, while other shapes were dominated by various petroleum-based thermoplastics (including polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide and polyester) and paints. MP concentrations suspended in air ranged from 0.016 to 0.238 items per m but displayed no clear dependence on wind speed or direction. Total depositional fluxes ranged from 0.47 to 3.30 m h and showed no clear dependence on wind conditions or electrical conductivity of precipitation (as a measure of maritime influence). However, the concentration of deposited MPs in rainwater was inversely related to rainfall volume, suggesting that incipient precipitation acts to efficiently washout microplastics. A comparison of deposited and suspended MPs by size, shape and polymer type suggests that larger fibres constructed of rayon, polyamide and acrylic are preferentially removed from the atmosphere relative to smaller, non-fibrous MPs and particles constructed of polyester. A quantitative comparison of deposited and suspended MPs provided estimates of location- and environment-specific net settling velocities of between about 7 and 180 m h and corresponding residence times for an air column of 5000 m of between about 30 and 700 h. The findings of the study contribute to an improved understanding of the occurrence, transport and deposition of MPs in the atmosphere more generally.
Topics: Microplastics; Nylons; Plastics; Atmosphere; England; Polyesters; Polymers; Environmental Monitoring; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 37751808
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140258